I'm Sore

On Tuesday I went to the Y with the kids. 

First I have to mention that my oldest always wants me to run around and play tag with him before class. By the time class hits, I'm sort of pooped already!  He's a FAST runner. My 4 year old jumps in to play to.

We had a class called Family Fitness. 

She started us out with:

• 9 jumping jacks
• 9 punches
• 9 push ups
• 9 seconds of planks
• 9 crunches
• 9 lunges

Then we did 8 of all those, then we did 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

My 4 year old said in the middle, "Mommy I'm tired!" I felt like saying the same, but was a cheerleader to him instead. I think the hard part for me was getting up after all the floor things (push ups, planks and crunches).

I have to admit the I'm the biggest 1/2 asser when it comes to push ups. Even the girl style ones I find to be less than desirable. But my 1/2 assing must have done something; those are the muscles that are ubber sore!

After that we played a running game called, "Reindeer". One person stood behind a bar, attached to the bar were stretchy cords on each side, the other person hung onto those. My 4 year old tried to run, and I pulled back to make it harder to run. Then we switched rolls.

After that we played tail tag. We had socks tucked into our pants. One person was, "it". They ran around trying to steel our tails. We had to sit down once our tail was stole. Once we sat down we could try and steel people's tails as they ran by us. Then we could get back up and keep playing.

This was two nights ago; I'm still sore. 

CJ Bibigo "Won Ton of Giving" Campaign & Giveaway

CJ Bibigo is making a donation of one ton of Mini Wontons to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank this holiday season through a social media campaign called “Won Ton of Giving.” Facebook users are encouraged to “like” CJ Foods on Facebook to help meet a goal of 3,000 fans, and when the goal is met, the company will donate 2,000 pounds (or more than 91,000 wontons!) to the food bank.

They are also giving away CJ Bibigo prize pack on New Age Mama.  

The prize pack consists of the following: 

 

Do You Like Avocados?

I wasn't raised on them. My husband loves them. I like them mashed and used on sandwiches. They are also great with chips, or on salads.

Life in the Lost World has a giveaway going on for one winner to win a box full of avocados by Paradise Avocados Grove! They have all kinds of recipes I'd love to try out on their site.

I've Been on a Hummus Kick

The other day I spread homemade hummus on rye bread and put cut up cucumbers on it. It was a good sandwich!

Simply 7 has a giveaway going on at Life in This Lost World.

I want to try these out:

Some of their snacks features:

• No Trans Fat
• No Artificial Colors or Flavors
• No Preservatives
• Gluten Free Ingredients
• Non-GMO
• 50% less fat than potato chips
• Vegetarian

Italian Volcano Juices

We always get special drinks for the holidays. Thanksgiving is coming up. I'd love to try out Italian Volcano Juices. I don't like soda as much as I do sparkling or Italian juices.

You can enter here for a chance to win some of their juices!

Peanut Butter Pancakes

I love peanut butter. The problem is, even with the all natural kinds, they add a lot of oil.

I recently bought a powdered peanut butter from No Name Nutrition. Then my husband found some powdered peanut butter at Whole Foods. I've heard they carry some at HyVee, but I have yet to find some.

We've used it in smoothies. I love a smoothie with bananas, powdered peanut butter, freshly ground flax seed and chipped ice. Yummy! 

We also love pancakes on Saturday mornings. I'm always trying to find different recipes to make. I found this recipe and modified it. They were so good!

Peanut Butter Pancakes

The things I changed:

• Powdered peanut butter for real peanut butter
• Almond Milk for Cows milk
• Olive Oil for Butter
• I have yet to change out the sugar, but plan to. I have a hard time figuring out how much of natural sugars to replace in for sugar. I'm still working on that.
   

Mix the dry ingredients, mix the wet ingredients and combine the two. Then make your pancakes.

We had more than just pancakes, but I took a shot of a pancake on a plate.

Beans

My husband grew beans this year among a lot of other things.

Our boys had fun peeling them out of their pods.

Pretty soon it will be soup time.

What's your favorite kind of soup?

Lately I've Been Struggling to Breathe

I've been struggling to breathe. My oldest son has been struggling to breathe. It's allergies at it's worst. It's entered our chest cavity. Both of us have a cough. We sound like two smokers during some of the day.

Both of us have been doing the Neti Pot twice a day. We've been taking over the counter allergy medicine. Then we've been taking all natural Maty's Cough Syrup.

Source

I won the cough syrup a while back and it's the one thing kids can take. Most cough syrups are for adults only and contain alcohol.

I've been washing our pillow cases with every load of laundry I do.

As of right now we're both feeling blah! I seriously have had a problem getting one post out. I just feel like doing absolutely nothing.

Mica, my son is in 1st grade. He's opted to take a nap the last two days. In return he gets to stay up a little bit longer than usual.

It wasn't a total waste of the day. My oldest son has a bake sale at school coming up and my youngest starts preschool this week. I did my motherly duty and made treats. Then my oldest saw a recipe for pumpkin pudding in his Highlights magazine. I managed to make that with him as well. It's a bread pudding. It is more healthy than most puddings. I took a picture, but I have to say that bread type puddings are not that pretty.

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy are back!

A long, long time ago, or so it seems my mom made a Raggedy Ann and Andy doll set. They were happily played with. As most toys have this happen, they started to get played with less and less.

They got put up in the attic for safe keeping; we think.

My Dad put them up there he said. When it came time for the duo to come back down to get played with they were no where to be seen. My Mom was heartbroken. :(

Every time my Dad went up in the attic my Mom said, "Red look for Raggedy Ann and Andy up there!" He did and could never find them again.

So there is this giveaway going on where one winner will win a Raggedy Ann or Andy. If I win, I'll give it to my mom. Even though she doesn't play with dolls anymore, I think she'll appreciate it. I may have to choose Andy since there's only little boys in our family.

Go here to get a chance to win.

Keeping Things Clean

Believe it or not, I've been talking with my college students about keeping things clean. They have to create a project that is all out of white paper and materials. It's a relief, meaning it pops out of a flat surface. They are graded on their craft. Their work gets down graded if there is jagged cuts, glue marks and finger prints on it.

I mentioned things like: 

• Have a damp cloth at your desk
• Tie your long hair back
• Wash your hands

Well I was walking around the room and guess what? A girl was working on the project. Her hands were black. I was thinking, Hummm did she miss all of my lecture? I get annoyed when they don't listen at this age. Part of me wants to say something. Another part of me wants it to show up in her grade. It's common  sense and also unsanitary.

Jolly Mom is giving away a $100 Walgreens Gift Card in order to help with healthy hygiene and kids going back to school.

Hero

There once was a time when my Dad thought he truly had Native American in him. He went as far as to buy and take a test to determine what your genes really have in them. He found out that he is 2% Asian. No Native American.

He was sad because he loves the Native American culture. Much of his artwork revolved around Native American themes.

I told him that we should have him over, so I could fix him a chopstick style meal.

I'd love to win this shirt for him:

He's a tall, very white, redhead. Oh well. He still loves the Native American culture! Go to Life in the Lost World to possibly win a t-shirt from Ban T-Shirts.

The Great Benefits of a Banana

I found this on Facebook. Sorry no source is included. If you created this and want me to remove it or add your name to it, I'd be happy to.

Art

One thing that will keep my kids attention is anything art related. I love it because now I can sit down, work on art and my kids will work on art to. No more breastfeeding, whining, interrupting going on.

I was able to finish these two large pieces lately:

You can see details and process here.

New Age Mama has a giveaway for a BeginAgain art kit. I really do love it and hope I win!

Culturelle

There's been times where my stomach is upset. I notice it happens when my allergies are off the charts. That's when I get an attack of tummy problems.

My Dad read in a health book he bought from Whole Foods that people with allergies have a thinner lining of the stomach. I can believe this. Certain foods make it worse. More then anything it's just the time of year.

The only thing that seems to kick my tummy issues is probiotics. Plus I put myself on the BRAT diet: Banana, rice, applesauce, toast and tea. I add greek yogurt and water to that.

New Age Mama is giving away 1 box of Culturelle Kids packets and 1 box of Culturelle Kids chewables. I'd love to say that my kids do not have my allergies or tummy issues, they do. It's rare, but when they get diarrhea; the one thing that stops it is probiotics.

Fair Trade Goods

Do you like Fair Trade Goods places? I do. I think I'm drawn to them because they are unique, artist made, and are cultural.

Plus I'm all about finding unique companies for my college art students to do logos and campaign work for. I notice if I pick companies they've never heard of, it forces them to do their research.

Life in the Lost World is hosting a giveaway for a $50 GC to Ezistock. I've never heard of them before.

What would I pick if I win? I might pick this men's bracelet.

It's something a little different for my husband.

My Husband is Corny!

My husband picked a bunch of sweet corn yesterday.

This is our first year growing it. We live in the city, but have a huge yard. My husband along with the kids planted an 3 Sisters Garden. It's corn, beans and squash. We watered that area pretty good. Our tomatoes didn't do well from the heat this year. I think our red potatoes are ready to be dug up.

There were 3 or 4 ears sitting on the ground, in a row, and the corn was gobbled off. We teased our backyard neighbor of hopping the fence and eating it. Travis thought I ate it. I was like, "Why would I do that? I'd take it down to the kitchen, shuck it, wash it and then eat it." I'm thinking it was a raccoon. Sure enough I was talking to my Dad later (who grew up on a farm) and he said that coons love corn! He said some farmers put up electric fences to keep them away from it. I really doubt we'll want to put up an electric fence.

I gave 5 ears to my oldest sister, parents and a friend. My friend gave me 3 giant zucchini for the corn.

We might end up freezing some of the corn. This is all new to me. I saw a tutorial for freezing corn here. 

I made zucchini brownies last night. Healthy not, good yes. I wanted to test the recipe before all my company comes in a few weeks. We're having a party with college friends and art friends. People will pitch tents and stay over night. I plan on making zucchini chips as well. The rest I'll cook in olive oil, freeze some, and make a few loaves of bread to freeze as well.

Do You Have an Ant Problem?

I have!

There are natural ways to get rid of ants. It is hard if the problem is really big.

I got rid of mine by wiping down the counters with white vinegar. A plain and inexpensive way to get rid of ants. They don't like vinegar.

I also put out traps of Borax and strawberry soda. They love strawberry soda and the Borax gets traveled back to their nest to kill the Queen ant. I mix it up on a yogurt top with a toothpick.

If the stuff above fails I get ant killer by AMDRO.

I have all kinds of pictures of what ants look like enlarged. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago had a display of close up ants. They are pretty neat to look at how they work together. It's just not fun having them in your house.

Do they give you the creepy crawlies yet?

Piggy Back Time!

Two of a Kind Working on a Full House has a $50 AMEX Gift Card given away by AMDRO.

Fruit For All Project

I think this is a great project! Juicy Fruit is donating 400 meals to a food bank closest to the winner on Go Graham Go!

It's not the typical giveaway!

Miracle-Gro for Kids

I think it's really important for kids to learn about gardening. I remember when I was younger my Dad was out in the garden. He let me help. I dug up worms.

One time I planted flowers I got from one of my first boyfriends. He dug them up thinking they were weeds. I even asked him where to plant them. Silly Dad!


Miracle-Gro has a section for kids. Go Graham Go! is giving away a Windowsill Greenhouse. I think it makes kids feel great when they can make something grow on their own.

Garden

My husband and boys planted a 3 sisters garden this year. You can read more about it here. It's corn, beans and squash. Basically the corn shades the other things perfectly to grow.

We had a few problems with animals nibbling on our corns. Up went a fence before our trip to Chicago. The corn seems to be doing very well. In the past we've had no problems with growing squash. I'm unsure about the beans.

Garden Tech is giving away a $50 Walmart GC on Jolly Mom. Check out what's going on in her garden and enter the giveaway here.

Feet Problems?

You are in luck! I have two giveaways going on, on my other blog Planet of the Apels.

#1 is for one winner to win a 4.6 Ounce Bottle of Toe Juice Ends 7/9. I really found Toe Juice to be helpful. It took awhile, but was a leader in helping my planters wart to finally go away! It also helps with other skin flaws.

#2 is for one winner to win a package of arch supports and other feet related things from Profoot Giveaway Ends 7/9.

Birthday Wants

It helps my mom when I post about the things I want for birthdays and Christmas. That's what this post is about. Make a comment if your list would be similar to mine, or totally different! We all have different tastes for sure!

1. I really want a couple glass pitchers. They don't have to be like the ones featured. I do want them to have lids, so that may be the only hang up.


It's just what I could find online at Target for $5.99.

Here's a set for $19.99 also found at Target.

Who knew they made fruit infused pitchers? I'm not quite sure how it works, but it looks like something I'd use. I love lemon and orange water! They look pretty cool! They can be found here for $18.

2. Hair Things.

I like these. I know they are plain $4.79 at Target.

These things for $11.99 (for both) look pretty interesting to.

3. Glass Storage containers.

I just bought meal size glass storage containers. I'd like some ramekin sized storage containers. Ones with lids for lunch. I'm thinking for peas, corn and things like that. I use that size a lot. They do not have to be this brand, but here is an example.

I do like these types of lids better, so if you see those types great! Can be round or square - I don't care.

4. Earrings

I love the earrings I have. I would like a pair of artsy red earrings. Some that have red in them. The Afternoon has these Teresa Goodall Clay Drop with Top Earrings for $30.

5. Grommet Tool Kit

Harbor Freight Tools.

6. Mits

Classic Red Mits  (x2) at Sir la Table for $9.95.

7. Hand Warmers

Reusable Retro Robot Hand Warmers - Perpetual Kid $8.99.

Reusable Cupcake Hand Warmers - Perpetual Kid $8.99.

8. Cling On

What the Bleep? Wall Graphic - Perpetual Kid $29.99.